St John records healthy surplus

St John Ambulance has reported increased revenue and surplus for the 2014-15 financial year, growing its income from ambulance trips, health department contracts, and first aid training services.

The diverse health service recorded a revenue of $251.5 million (up from $240.9 million) and a surplus of $21.5 million (up from $18.6 million).

This ranks St John seventh in the BNiQ list of Western Australian not-for-profit businesses (based on WA revenue for the most recent financial year). 

Business News previously reported St John Ambulance had revamped its first aid services following an influx of cut-price market entrants.

This change led to a slight increase in its first aid training and services income, from $11.9 million in 2013-14 to $12.4 million.

St John, which operates the state's ambulance service, also increased the number of ambulance trips, from 255,274 in 2013-14 to 272,885.

Income from helicopter services linked to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services fell slightly, as did other unspecified income, Lotterywest grants, and donations and bequests.

St John Ambulance chief executive Tony Ahern said St John would direct its surplus towards charitable activities such as its free in-school First Aid Focus program.

He said St John would also invest in capital works, fleet and equipment and its volunteer model, which currently attracts more than 4,800 volunteers across the state.